Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Climate and Ecology Policy Officer.

The committee received a report of the Climate and Ecology Policy Officer, to review progress made in delivering the natural environment, climate and ecology strategy during 2023/24.

Councillors considered the issues arising from the report and during discussion the following points were noted:

·       The impact of the nature emergency declaration would need to be considered

·       Good progress had been made in embedding climate issues through the Council and thanks noted to officers and the former portfolio holder for their work in this area

·       More detailed information including figures would be available in a dashboard that was being developed and would be brought to the committee at a future meeting. The committee could then consider the information included and if further information was required

·       Specific points were noted in respect of prioritising wi-fi in rural areas, Dorset community transport, the installation of heat pumps and climate issues around agriculture

·       The implications of bringing dates forward for the Council and wider area to become carbon neutral were considered and in particular the cost implications of this. A report would be considered by Cabinet in respect of this and clarification was being sought on the democratic process and timescales for this.

The Chair noted the requirement for a report to be considered before Cabinet in November 2024, to consider the plan and costings associated with bringing forward the dates for the Council and wider area to become carbon neutral. He also welcomed the development of the dashboard to provide more information.